Christine Dabney wrote:
> On Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:20:45 -0700, "Janet Bostwick"
> > wrote:
>
>> "Wayne Boatwright" > wrote in message
>> 5.247...
>>> On Sat 19 Dec 2009 10:01:02p, pavane told us...
>>>
>>>> "Wayne Boatwright" > wrote in message
>>>> 5.247...
>>>>
>>>> | If you aren't accustomed to it, I think it's an acquired taste for
>>>> today's
>>>> | palates. I happen to like heavy strongly flavored pies. You might also
>>>> | not enjoy a rich authentic chess pie either.
>>>>
>>>> Nobody doesn't like rich authentic chess pie. Nobody. For shame. :}
>>>>
>>>> pavane
>>> You're absolutely right! Unfortunately, I bet there are countless numbers
>>> who've never even heard of it, much less tasted it. :-(
>>>
>> Uh, me . . . I just raised my hand. I never heard of chess pie. Explain
>> please.
>> Thank you
>> Janet
>>
>
>
> Ooh...chess pie. Love that pie!!
>
> The origin of the name has many versions. I know of at least 2, and
> maybe 3. Some of the other southern cooks on this group might know of
> more.
>
> One says that it refers to the answer that was given when asked about
> what kind of pie it was. "Jes' pie" is the answer that was given...
> Another suggestion for the name came from where the pies were stored
> after being made: a pie chest. So it becomes Chest Pie..or evolved to
> Chess Pie.
> And some say it evolved from the 'cheese" pie that was made back
> then....which really wasn't a cheese pie, but was the name for those
> types of pies.
>
> I make the version from the late grande dame of Southern Cooking, Edna
> Lewis. Her's is a lemon chess pie. Has buttermilk, a bit of
> cornmeal, eggs, lemon and I forget what else in the pie. Very easy to
> make. That recipe is found in The Gift of Southern Cooking, the book
> she did with Scott Peacock.
>
> Hmm...maybe I will find me some buttermilk when I go out in a bit. I
> have a bit of food exploring planned, with a trip to the Marin farmers
> market as the first stop. Meyer lemons are in season now, and I
> wonder how they would work for lemon chess pie? I am now thinking
> that this might be a nice pie for taking down to my friends in San
> Jose on Christmas Day.
>
> Christine, who will visit one of her favorite farmers markets in a
> bit, maybe stop by Berkeley Bowl West and a few other foodie sites,
> including Grocery Outlet.

I love it when you talk like that (speaking of food history)! :-)

--
Jean B.